Joint for above ground pool frame

ABSTRACT

A frame pool is disclosed including a frame assembly and a pool liner, the frame assembly including horizontal frame members and a vertical frame member coupled together via a T-shaped joint. The T-shaped joint may be constructed of plastic to facilitate attachment and detachment to the adjacent frame members and to resist galling and corrosion. The T-shaped joint may also be relatively small to improve the appearance and water containment of the frame pool.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to the following Chinese patent applications, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety:

Application Number Filing Date CN 201620598406.9 Jun. 17, 2016 CN 201630270359.0 Jun. 22, 2016 CN 201621039473.3 Sep. 6, 2016

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an above ground pool. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a joint for an above ground pool, and to a method for using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A frame pool may include a frame assembly and a pool liner supported by the frame assembly to form a water cavity of the pool. The frame assembly may include one or more horizontal frame members (e.g., horizontal pipes) that form an upper rim of the pool and one or more vertical frame members (e.g., vertical pipes) that extend downward from the horizontal frame members to the ground. To allow the frame assembly to be disassembled for storage and assembled for use, the horizontal frame members and the vertical frame members may be removably coupled together via a plurality of T-shaped joints. Existing T-shaped joints are formed of metal, which may be susceptible to galling and corrosion, especially as any protective coating on the metal becomes worn or damaged. Also, existing T-shaped joints are relatively wide, so existing pool liners may require wide holes or gaps to accommodate such T-shaped joints, which may impact the pool's appearance and ability to contain water.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a frame pool including a frame assembly and a pool liner, the frame assembly including horizontal frame members and a vertical frame member coupled together via a T-shaped joint. The T-shaped joint may be constructed of plastic to facilitate attachment and detachment to the adjacent frame members and to resist galling and corrosion. The T-shaped joint may also be relatively small to improve the appearance and water containment of the frame pool.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a frame joint is disclosed for an above ground pool frame having a first horizontal frame member, a second horizontal frame member, and a vertical frame member. The frame joint includes: a first horizontal joint portion including a first coupling assembly configured to couple with the first horizontal frame member; a second horizontal joint portion including a second coupling assembly configured to couple with the second horizontal frame member; and a vertical joint portion fixedly coupled to the first and second horizontal joint portions and configured to couple with the vertical frame member; wherein a width of the vertical joint portion accounts for at least 50% of a width between the first and second coupling assemblies of the first and second horizontal joint portions.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a frame joint is disclosed for an above ground pool frame having a first horizontal frame member, a second horizontal frame member, and a vertical frame member. The frame joint includes: a first horizontal joint portion configured to couple with the first horizontal frame member, the first horizontal joint portion being constructed of plastic; a second horizontal joint portion configured to couple with the second horizontal frame member, the second horizontal joint portion being constructed of plastic; and a vertical joint portion fixedly coupled to the first and second horizontal joint portions and configured to couple with the vertical frame member, the vertical joint portion being constructed of plastic.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for assembling an above ground pool. The method includes: coupling a first horizontal joint portion of a frame joint to a first horizontal frame member with a first coupling assembly; coupling a second horizontal joint portion of the frame joint to a second horizontal frame member with a second coupling assembly; and coupling a vertical joint portion of the frame joint to a vertical frame member, wherein a width of the vertical joint portion accounts for a majority of a width between the first and second coupling assemblies of the first and second horizontal joint portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a frame pool including a frame assembly and a pool liner, the frame assembly including horizontal frame members and a vertical frame member coupled together via an exemplary T-shaped joint of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the frame assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the T-shaped joint of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the T-shaped joint of FIG. 3 .

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portion of an exemplary frame pool 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The illustrative portion of the frame pool 100 includes two adjacent horizontal frame members 6 (e.g., horizontal pipes) that cooperate to form an upper rim of the frame pool 100 and a vertical frame member 7 (e.g., vertical pipe) that extends downward from the horizontal frame members 6 to support the frame pool 100 on the ground. Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , similar frame members 6 and 7 may be provided around the remaining perimeter of the frame pool 100. The frame pool 100 may vary in size and shape. For example, the frame pool 100 may be rectangular, circular, elliptical, or other suitable shapes.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a T-shaped joint 10 may be used to removably couple the two adjacent horizontal frame members 6 to the adjacent vertical frame member 7. Although a single T-shaped joint 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , similar T-shaped joints 10 may be provided around the remaining perimeter of the frame pool 100. Each T-shaped joint 10 illustratively includes two horizontal joint portions 1 configured to couple to the horizontal frame members 6 and a vertical joint portion 2 configured to couple to the vertical frame member 7. To form the T-shape, the vertical joint portion 2 is centered between and perpendicular to the two horizontal joint portions 1. The orientation of the horizontal joint portions 1 determines the orientation of the adjacent horizontal frame members 6. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , for example, the horizontal joint portions 1 define an obtuse angle α therebetween, so the horizontal frame members 6 define the same angle α therebetween. In another embodiment, the horizontal joint portions 1 may be collinear with each other, so the horizontal frame members 6 would also be collinear with each other. In another embodiment, the horizontal joint portions 1 may be perpendicular to each other, so the horizontal frame members 6 would also be perpendicular to each other, such as along a corner of a rectangular frame pool 100.

Some or all components of the frame assembly, including the horizontal frame members 6, the vertical frame members 7, and/or the T-shaped joints 10, may be constructed of a polymer, specifically plastic, such as by injection molding. Compared to metallic components, the plastic components may be smooth and elastic to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the frame assembly. Also, the plastic components may be more resistant to galling and corrosion to promote extended use. With respect to the T-shaped joint 10, in particular, the horizontal joint portions 1 and the vertical joint portion 2 may be integrally formed as a single piece of plastic. Alternatively, the horizontal joint portions 1 and the vertical joint portion 2 may be formed as multiple pieces of plastic and then fixedly coupled (e.g., adhered, welded) together. The upper end of the T-shaped joint 10 may include a raised rim 22 (FIG. 3 ) to give the appearance that the vertical joint portion 2 wraps around the horizontal joint portions 1.

The illustrative frame pool 100 of FIG. 1 also includes a pool liner 8 supported by the frame members 6 and 7 to form an interior water cavity for swimming and/or bathing. The pool liner 8 may be wrapped and secured around the horizontal frame member 6 to form a loop or fold 81. The fold 81 of the pool liner 8 may also define a gap or hole 82 to expose the T-shaped joint 10, as described further below.

The illustrative T-shaped joint 10 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

The horizontal joint portions 1 of the illustrative T-shaped joint 10 are configured to couple with the adjacent horizontal frame members 6 (FIG. 2 ). The horizontal joint portions 1 may be configured to fit within the adjacent horizontal frame members 6 in a sleeved manner. Thus, the external cross-section of the horizontal joint portions 1 may match the internal cross-section of the horizontal frame members 6. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 , the external cross-section of the horizontal joint portions 1 is generally triangular with rounded edges to resist rotation between the horizontal joint portions 1 and the horizontal frame members 6. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the external cross-section to be circular, rectangular, elliptical, or another suitable shape to match the internal cross-section of the horizontal frame members 6.

Each horizontal joint portion 1 of the T-shaped joint 10 includes a coupling assembly 3 for removable attachment to the adjacent horizontal frame member 6 (FIG. 2 ). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , each coupling assembly 3 includes a base 31 received in the horizontal joint portion 1, a helical spring 32 held in place by the base 31, and a pin 33 extending radially outward (e.g., downward) through a hole 35 in the horizontal joint portion 1. Each horizontal joint portion 1 may include an internal horizontal reinforcing rib 11 and/or an internal horizontal support member 5 to help support base 31 within the T-shaped joint 10. In an assembled or locked state, spring 32 may bias pin 33 radially outward through hole 35 to engage a corresponding recess or hole (not shown) of the horizontal frame member 6 (FIG. 2 ). In a disassembled or unlocked state, a user may press pin 33 radially inward to compress spring 32 and disengage the horizontal frame member 6 (FIG. 2 ).

The vertical joint portion 2 of the illustrative T-shaped joint 10 is configured to couple with the adjacent vertical frame member 7 (FIG. 2 ). The vertical joint portion 2 may be configured to fit within the adjacent vertical frame member 7 in a sleeved manner. Thus, the external cross-section of the vertical joint portion 2 may match the internal cross-section of the vertical frame member 7. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 , the external cross-section of the vertical joint portion 2 is generally triangular with rounded edges to resist rotation between the vertical joint portion 2 and the vertical frame member 7. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the external cross-section to be circular, rectangular, elliptical, or another suitable shape to match the internal cross-section of the vertical frame member 7. The vertical joint portion 2 of the T-shaped joint 10 includes a coupling assembly 4 for removable attachment to the adjacent vertical frame member 7 (FIG. 2 ). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , each coupling assembly 4 includes a base 41 received in the vertical joint portion 2, a helical spring 42 held in place by the base 41, and a pin 43 extending radially outward (e.g., rearward) through a hole 45 in the vertical joint portion 2. The vertical joint portion 2 may include one or more internal vertical reinforcing ribs 21 to help support base 41 within the T-shaped joint 10, such as by compressing fingers 46 of base 41 together within the T-shaped joint 10. In an assembled or locked state, spring 42 may bias pin 43 radially outward through hole 45 to engage a corresponding recess or hole 71 of the vertical frame member 7 (FIG. 2 ). In a disassembled or unlocked state, a user may press pin 43 radially inward to compress spring 42 and disengage the hole 71 of the vertical frame member 7 (FIG. 2 ).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and as shown in FIG. 4 , the size of the T-shaped joint 10 may be minimized such that the size of the corresponding hole 82 in the pool liner 8 (shown in phantom) may also be minimized. The small hole 82 in the pool liner 8 may improve the appearance and water containment of the frame pool 100 (FIG. 1 ) while still leaving the coupling assemblies 3 and 4, specifically the pins 33 and 43 of the coupling assemblies 3 and 4, accessible for subsequent disassembly.

The width of the T-shaped joint 10 may be minimized such that the width of the corresponding hole 82 in the pool liner 8 may also be minimized. For example, the total width W_(J1) of the T-shaped joint 10 may be about 5 inches to about 7 inches, specifically about 5¾ inches, the width W_(J2) between the pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3 may be about 3 inches to about 5 inches, specifically about 3 13/16 inches, and the width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 may be about 1 inches to about 3 inches, specifically about 2⅜ inches. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 , the width W_(L) of the hole 82 in the pool liner 8 is greater than both the width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 and the width W_(J2) between the pins 33 to expose the pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3 for subsequent disassembly while being less than the total width W_(J1) of the T-shaped joint 10. For example, the width W_(L) of the hole 82 in the pool liner 8 is about 3 inches to about 7 inches, specifically about 4½ inches.

To help minimize the size of the T-shaped joint 10, the pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3 may be positioned close to the vertical joint portion 2. Due to this close positioning, the width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 may account for a majority of the width W_(J2) between the pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3. For example, the width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 may account for 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or more of the width W_(J2) between the pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 , in particular, the width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 accounts for about 70% of the width W_(J2) between the pins 33 of the coupling assemblies 3. The width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 may also account for a significant portion of the total width W_(J1) of the T-shaped joint 10. For example, the width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 may account for 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or more of the total width W_(J3) of the T-shaped joint 10. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 , in particular, the width W_(J3) of the vertical joint portion 2 accounts for about 50% of the of the total width W_(J1) of the T-shaped joint 10.

Additionally, the height of the T-shaped joint 10 may be minimized such that the height of the corresponding hole 82 in the pool liner 8 may be minimized. For example, the total height H_(J) of the T-shaped joint 10 may be about 3 inches to about 5 inches, specifically about 3⅞ inches. Because the pin 43 of the coupling assembly 4 may be accessible in front of the pool liner 8 and behind the T-shaped joint 10, the hole 82 in the pool liner 8 need not extend downward beneath the pin 43. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 , the height H_(L) of the hole 82 in the pool liner 8 is less than the total height H_(J) of the T-shaped joint 10 while still allowing access to the pin 33 of the coupling assembly 3 and the pin 43 of the coupling assembly 4 for subsequent disassembly.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A joint for a frame assembly, the joint comprising: a joint body, including: a first horizontal portion having a first sidewall defining a first through hole; a second horizontal portion having a second sidewall defining a second through hole; and a vertical portion coupled to and extending away from at least one of the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion; a first base positioned within the first horizontal portion and including a first pin selectively received within the first through hole; and a second base positioned within the second horizontal portion and including a second pin selectively received within the second through hole of the second horizontal portion.
 22. The joint of claim 21, wherein the first through hole is positioned within a first lower half of a first perimeter of the first sidewall of the first horizontal portion.
 23. The joint of claim 22, wherein the first through hole is positioned on a first underside of the first sidewall of the first horizontal portion.
 24. The joint of claim 23, wherein the first through hole is positioned at a first lowest position of the first perimeter of the first sidewall of the first horizontal portion.
 25. The joint of claim 21, wherein the second through hole is positioned within a second lower half of a second perimeter of the second sidewall of the second horizontal portion.
 26. The joint of claim 25, wherein the second through hole is positioned on a second underside of the second sidewall of the second horizontal portion.
 27. The joint of claim 26, wherein the second through hole is positioned at a second lowest position of the second perimeter of the second sidewall of the second horizontal portion.
 28. The joint of claim 21, wherein the vertical joint portion is coupled to each of the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion.
 29. The joint of claim 21, wherein the vertical joint portion is centered between the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion.
 30. The joint of claim 21, wherein the vertical joint extends perpendicular to the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion.
 31. The joint of claim 21, wherein the first pin is biased through the first through hole.
 32. The joint of claim 31, further including a first spring coupled to the first pin to bias the first pin through the first through hole.
 33. The joint of claim 21, wherein the second pin is biased through the second through hole.
 34. The joint of claim 33, further including a second spring coupled to the second pin to bias the second pin through the second through hole.
 35. The joint of claim 21, wherein a first shape of the first base is consistent with a second shape defined by a first inner wall of the first horizontal portion.
 36. The joint of claim 21, wherein a third shape of the second base is consistent with a fourth shape defined by a second inner wall of the second horizontal portion.
 37. The joint of claim 21, wherein the joint body is comprised of a polymer.
 38. The joint of claim 21, wherein the joint body is T-shaped.
 39. A frame assembly, comprising: a first horizontal frame member having a first sidewall defining a first through hole; a second horizontal frame member having a second sidewall defining a second through hole; a vertical frame member; and a joint including: a first horizontal portion configured to receive the first horizontal frame member, the first horizontal portion having a third sidewall defining a third through hole, so that the first through hole and the third through hole align when the first horizontal portion receives the first horizontal frame member; a second horizontal portion configured to receive the second horizontal frame member, the second horizontal portion having a fourth sidewall defining a fourth through hole, so that the second through hole and the fourth through hole align when the second horizontal portion receives the second horizontal frame member; and a vertical portion extending from at least one of the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion and configured to couple with the vertical frame member; a first pin selectively received within the third through hole of the first horizontal portion and the first through hole of the first horizontal frame member when the first horizontal frame member is received by the first horizontal portion; and a second pin selectively received within the fourth through hole of the second horizontal portion and the second through hole of the second horizontal frame member when the second horizontal frame member is received by the second horizontal portion.
 40. The frame assembly of claim 39, wherein depression of the first pin facilitates decoupling of the first horizontal frame member from the first horizontal portion.
 41. The frame assembly of claim 39, wherein depression of the second pin facilitates decoupling of the second horizontal frame member from the second horizontal portion.
 42. The frame assembly of claim 39, further comprising a liner positioned around the first horizontal frame member and the second horizontal frame member, the liner including an opening exposing the joint.
 43. The frame assembly of claim 42, wherein the first pin and the second pin are accessible via the opening of the liner.
 44. The frame assembly of claim 43, wherein the entirety of the joint is exposed by the opening of the liner.
 45. A joint for a frame assembly, the joint comprising: a joint body, including: a first horizontal portion having a first sidewall defining a first through hole to selectively receive a first pin; a second horizontal portion having a second sidewall defining a second through hole to selectively receive a second pin; and a vertical portion coupled to and extending away from at least one of the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion.
 46. The joint of claim 45, wherein the first through hole is positioned within a first lower half of a first perimeter of the first sidewall of the first horizontal portion.
 47. The joint of claim 45, wherein the first pin is biased through the first through hole.
 48. A joint for a frame assembly, the joint comprising: a joint body, including: a horizontal portion having a sidewall defining a through hole; and a vertical portion coupled to and extending away from the horizontal portion; a base positioned within the horizontal portion and including a pin selectively received within the through hole.
 49. The joint of claim 48, wherein the through hole is positioned within a lower half of a perimeter of the sidewall of the horizontal portion.
 50. The joint of claim 48, wherein a pin is biased through the through hole. 